There's no consistent selection policy in Pakistan cricket: Azhar Mahmood

COLOMBO: Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who is now a British citizen, feels that it's "more about politics" in country's cricket system rather than people thinking about the benefit of the game and cricketers.
"It's more about politics rather than administrators thinking about game's benefit. There is no consistent selection policy and there will be chopping and changing of players now and then.Obviously, this has been the reason for the incosistent performance of Pakistan in international cricket," a candid Mahmood said during a media interaction.
"I have played in different leagues in different countries. I have seen the relationships among players, coaches and management in different countries. The mindset among the cricket authorities in Pakistan is completely different. They don't want to change," said Mahmmod who had played in T20 leagues in New Zealand, Bangladesh and India, besides currently featuring in SLPL and for Kent in English county.
Mahmood, who last played for Pakistan in 2007, feels that he has been an under-achiever for his country due to frequent chop and change policy of the selectors.
"I feel I underachieved for Pakistan and I have been not treated well by the authorities. I was primarily dropped from 2007 World Cup for no reason (he did come in as a replacement but didn't get a game). I started off well in Test cricket but suddenly I was branded as an ODI cricketer and subsequently was dropped from longer version. I played my last Test in 2001."
"The same happened in case of Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhthar. The administrators ill-treated them. Then they don't want Abdul Razzaq and he was sidelined for long though he has now come back.
"There is no clear selection policy. In the World T20, there is only one genuine all-rounder which is inexplicable. There is no Umar Gul in the ODI series against Australia and there is no Aizaz Cheema or Wahab Riaz in the World T20 squad. You cannot explain all these."